Cards for use in statistic machines



March 3, 1931.

A. G. RENDALL Filed April 29, 1926 cards,

Patented Mar. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR GEOFFREY RENDALL, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO MORLAND & IMPEY LIMITED, 01 BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND CARDS FOR USE IN STATISTIC MACHINES -Application filed April 29, 192$,Serial No. 105,618, and in Great Britain Kay 8, 1925.

In the recording or analysis of statistical matter perforated cards are Commonly used, the cards being passed through machines of various kinds. Ordinarilya stack'of superimposed cards is placed in a machine and-the cards are removed individually from the stackby a slide mechanism acting on the bottom card. Difiiculty is often experienced with the cards used for these and likepurposes, due to damaging ofthe edges of the particularly the forward edges. Slight defects in the said edges will often result in crumpling of the cards, and consequent stoppage of the machine, during the transition ofthe cards from the stack to another position. I

The object of the present invention is to enable the cards ordinarily used to withstand more effectively the action of the machines, and for this purpose the invention comprises the impregnation of the cards at one or more edges, or borders, or over the whole of either or both surfaces, with varnish or like material. In particular the invention comprises the treatment of the strip from which the cards. are out, in the manner hereinafter ,described.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a card treated in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 shows a coiled strip from which the cards are usually cut.

In carrying the invention into effect I prefer to use a varnish consisting of a so- I lution of synthetic resin. such, for example, as a phenol formaldehyde condensation product. The varnish may be appliedto the cards,

or the strip from WhlCh the cards are cut,'by a roller, pad or spray, .or inany other convenient maner. In' the example shown in Fi ure 1, the varnish is applied to bothlongi tuginal edges and borders of the card a to an extent indicated by b. The varnish soaks into the card and becomes practically invisible. It also interferes no way with the subsequent printing of the card as the ink can be deposited over the varnished portion as well as on the plain portion of the card. If desired the varnishing ma be effected immediately prior to printing, t e cards being caused to traverse a drying region before entering the printing machine, so that the varnishing and subsequent printing are effected as parts of one operation. Y

Although the term varnish is used in the claims accompanying this specification it is to be understood that such claims include the equivalents of varnish for the purpose of the present invention;

If desired the cards maybe treated over the whole of one or both sides. Further the treatment may be effected by means of any suitable varnish or impregnating fluid. Varnishes of different colours may be used as a means for distinguishing between cards of different kinds.

By so treating the cards the edges are rendered more rigid and much better able to withstand the deteriorating action of the machines, and the delay and inconvenience,

causedby failure of the ca ds is thereby minimized. The hardening effect caused by the varnish may be further increased by passin the treated card between hot rollers.-

Pre erably the applicat on of the varnish is applied in the following manner.

The strips from which the cards are out are usu-' ally made up in the form of a. relatively 1 large coil as shown in Figure 2, the convolutions lying in .tight or close contact. While the stripls so coiled, varnish is applied by means of a pad, brush'or spray to oneor both of the flat sides of the coil, and the varnish is allowed to soak through and between the edges of the strip, the depth to which the varnish penetrates depending on the I amount applied. After drying'the strip is uncoiled and cut into lengths in the usual manner.

While it is preferred to impregnate the cards throughout their area, the portions of the cards which really need such impregnation are the edges thereof, because it is there that the damage occurs in their use in statistical or accounting and tabulating machines.

It will be understood therefore that while in the claims specific reference 1s made to impregnation of the cards at their edges, such impregnation may extend inwardly throughout the body of a card.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z- 1. The process of hardening cards for use in statistic machines including the steps of impregnating the card at and inside its edges ,with an ink retaining varnish and then dryling said varnish.

2. A' card for use in statistic machines impregl'nated at and inside its edges with a hat ening, ink-retainin varnish.

In testimony whereo I have signed my name to this s ecification.

.ARTHUR EOFFREY RENDALL. 

